Villages of Hiraethog

In a nutshell. Open spaces and open skies, lakes, moors and forests.

The main draw here is Mynydd Hiraethog itself. This sparsely populated upland expanse of heather moorland and forest, overseen by big skies, has a unique and haunting quality.

Cerrigydrudion is one of the main settlements and a good base for touring this area. The village was a popular stopping place along the ‘new’ A5 in the 18th century, but now you may hear the sound of racing cutting through the agricultural landscape. It’s home to Glan y Gors go kart racetrack, a British Championship circuit and extremely popular as a day out.

Nearby Pentrefoelas is also the start point for many walks to Mynydd Hiraethog, although some may prefer to wait in the village with a cup of tea and something delicious from The Riverside Chocolate House and Tearoom! Drop in to look at the magnificent stained glass windows in the parish church. One of them contains a tiny strawberry and the challenge is to find it. The site once served as church to Ysbyty Ifan, where the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem established a sanctuary for travelling pilgrims. Unfortunately – as it had the power of sanctuary – it became a refuge for bandits and outlaws during the 15th century, causing much trouble for the surrounding towns and villages.

Llanfihangel on the banks of the River Alwen has been a place for rest and refreshment for centuries, for pilgrims, drovers and travellers who passed through the village. The Crown Inn is a grade II listed Welsh Drovers Inn, and was a favourite of William Wordsworth, who penned ‘The Vale of Meditation’ in honour of the landscape he so enjoyed. Famous inhabitants include William Salesbury, a staunch royalist who built a farmhouse on the outskirts of town in 1655, and Owain Jones, who wrote ‘The Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales’ in 1801, which is kept in the British Museum.

Most travellers who venture into Hiraethog inevitably make for Llyn Brenig. The reservoir and its smaller neighbour Llyn Alwen are packed with leisure facilities for walking, cycling, mountain biking, fishing, sailing and birdwatching. There’s an excellent visitor centre at Llyn Brenig too, a good starting point for a deeper appreciation of Hiraethog’s rich heritage and history, which stretches back to prehistoric times. Enjoy a warming drink, homemade cake or a hearty meal in the waterside café with a panoramic view of the lake and surroundings.

For more cycling, mountain biking and walking (plus horse riding, picnicking and red squirrel spotting) head for the nearby Clocaenog Forest, home to a wide range of wildlife.

The southernmost village in Conwy County is Llangwm, a hamlet that offers some lovely self catering cottages, from which to explore the walking, cycling and wildlife of Mynydd Hiraethog. Maybe also bring a telescope; as there is very little light pollution in this remote area, the skies put on a spectacular lightshow on a clear night.

This quiet haven has not been without its drama. Between 1886 and 1890, the Tithe Wars raged in North Wales. Welsh farmers became increasingly bitter towards the required tithe payment to the Anglican Church – a church that they neither attended nor supported. Tensions became so high that in 1887 an enforced sale of land and goods to collect the tithe in Llangwm turned into an angry and violent riot, which resulted in 31 protestors being taken to court.

For more information on what to see and where to go around Mynydd Hiraethog see the Elwy Valley Villages.

Find accommodation in Hiraethog and find out what's on when you plan to visit.

Number of results: 36

, currently showing 1 to 20.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Highest

Llyn Alwen 11.5k & Canicross 2024

Address

Alwen Visitor Centre car park, Llyn Brenig, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, LL21 9TT

Telephone
07769 958671

info@bespokefitnessandevents.co.uk

Cerrigydrudion

From the Alwen Visitor Centre car park situated close to Llyn Brenig, this run provides the perfect venue for trail running.
Craig Forris Walk

Address

Cae'n y Coed, Betws-y-Coed, Conwy, LL24 0TN

Betws-y-Coed

This moderate/strenuous, circular walk through the Gwydir Forest has fabulous views of the Snowdonia mountains.
Brenig Archaeological Trail - A Walk Through Time - Short Route

Address

Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre, Alwen, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, LL21 9TT

Telephone
01490 420463

Cerrigydrudion

The shorter of two walks, at just a few hundred metres long introduces some of the fascinating Bronze Age and Stone Age features on the northern western edge of Llyn Brenig.
Cerrigydrudion Show

Address

Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, LL21 9SW

Telephone
01490 460591

sioecerrig@gmail.com

Cerrigydrudion

With attractions to appeal to all ages, renowned for its quality throughout North Wales.
Llyn Brenig 9.5 Mile (15k) & Canicross 2023

Address

Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, LL21 9TT

Telephone
07769 958671

info@bespokefitnessandevents.co.uk

Cerrigydrudion

9.5 mile (15k) long trail race around the Llyn Brenig Reservoir, starting and finishing at the Brenig Visitor Centre.
Sir Henry Jones Museum Opening Day

Address

Sir Henry Jones Museum, Y Cwm, Llangernyw, Abergele, Conwy, LL22 8PR

Telephone
01745 860630

syrhenryjones@hotmail.com

Abergele

The Sir Henry Jones Museum is opening for the Summer season every Saturday. Join us for our opening day this Saturday 10th June.
Pentrefoelas Walks

Address

Pentrefoelas, Conwy, LL24 0HT

Telephone
01492 575290

cg.cs@conwy.gov.uk

Pentrefoelas

Five circular walks or varying lengths from the village of Pentrefoelas, a fine example of an estate village taking its name from Foel-las, a nearby small hill, once the site of a simple medieval castle.
GYG Karting

Address

Glan y Gors Park, Corwen, Conwy, LL21 0RU

Telephone
01490 420770

info@gygkarting.com

Corwen

Redbull’s #1 kart track in the UK! Have a blast in wide open spaces, in the heart of North Wales. Open in all weathers all year round.
Hiraethog Trail

Address

Pentrefoelas, Conwy, LL24 0LD

Pentrefoelas

This interesting and scenic trail links the Hiraethog villages of Pentrefoelas, Cerrigydrudion, Llanfihangel Glyn Myfr and Llanrhaeadr via public footpaths, quiet lanes and country roads.
Llyn Brenig Sailing Club

Address

Alwen, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, LL21 9TT

secretary@llynbrenigsc.org.uk

Cerrigydrudion

Llyn Brenig Sailing Club is the highest club in North Wales, at 1200ft above sea level on the Llyn Brenig reservoir.
Fishing at Alwen Reservoir

Address

Alwen, Cerrigydrudion, Corwen, Conwy, LL21 9TT

Telephone
01490 420463

llyn.brenig@dwrcymru.com

Corwen

Alwen Reservoir is a peaceful setting with many sheltered tree-lined bays. The waters are stocked with rainbow trout, but there also plenty of perch. An ideal venue for beginners.
Llyn Alwen 11.5k & Canicross 2023

Address

Alwen Visitor Centre car park, Llyn Brenig, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, LL21 9TT

Telephone
07769 958671

info@bespokefitnessandevents.co.uk

Cerrigydrudion

From the Alwen Visitor Centre car park situated close to Llyn Brenig, this run provides the perfect venue for trail running.
Bod Petryal Biking Route

Address

Bod Petryal Picnic Site, Clocaenog Forest, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy

Cerrigydrudion

This route meanders through the Clocaenog Forest and at 3.5km long (total climb 60m), it's the perfect route for families and beginners.
The Sir Henry Jones Museum

Address

Y Cwm, Llangernyw, Abergele, Conwy, LL22 8PR

Telephone
01745 860630

syrhenryjones@hotmail.com

Abergele

The museum is the childhood home of Sir Henry Jones (1852-1922) who, from humble origins, became an eminent Professor of Moral Philosophy at Glasgow University and a major influence on the education system in Wales.
Riverside Chocolate House

Address

Pentrefoelas, Conwy, LL24 0LE

Telephone
01690 770296

riversidechocolatehouse@gmail.com

Pentrefoelas

We are a tearoom and chocolate house serving light lunches, drinks and cakes. We also sell individual chocolates alongside confectionery and gifts.
Llyn Aled

Address

Pentrefoelas, Conwy, LL21 9TT

Telephone
01490 420463

llynbrenig@dwrcymru.com

Pentrefoelas

The deep lake of Llyn Aled is located high on the Hiraethog moors. Its bleak setting is beautiful, and the lake itself is one of the best spots for coarse fishing in the area.
Hafodunos Hall - NGS Open Gardens for Charity

Address

Hafodunos Hall, Llangernyw, Conwy, LL22 8TY

Llangernyw

We are excited to open for charity on the Saturday of the late May bank holiday weekend with the National Garden Scheme (NGS).
Alwen Walking Trail

Address

Alwen, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, LL21 9TT

Telephone
01490 389 227

llynbrenig@dwrcymru.com

Cerrigydrudion

An easy-to-follow, way marked, circular route around the Alwen Reservoir of approximately 7.5 miles (11 km), the Alwen Trail follows forest tracks and paths along the water’s edge and up to the moorland of Mynydd Hiraethog.
Up to the Lake Cycle Route

Address

Cyffylliog, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, LL15 2ED

Cerrigydrudion

A fairly long mountain bike route of 42 km, Up to the Lake is ideal for beginners and intermediates, and for those who prefer something which challenges stamina but is not too taxing technically.
Hafodunos Hall Spring Open Day

Address

Hafodunos Hall, Llangernyw, Conwy, LL22 8TY

Llangernyw

We are excited for our first open day of 2023 when the beautiful gardens are at their most spectacular with the rhododendrons in bloom.